KITTERY, Maine — A York man is facing criminal charges after he allegedly directed a laser pointer attached to a replica handgun at passing motorists — including a police officer — on Saturday night.

Seth Christman, 22, 73 Long Sands Road, York, is being summonsed into court on a Class D misdemeanor charge of criminal use of a laser pointer.

According to police, Officer Ryan Sanford was patroling Route 1 in the vicinity of the Maine Information Center around 7:30 p.m. Saturday when a red laser beam shined into the cruiser. Sanford noticed it was shining into other passing vehicles, as well.

Sanford pulled up behind the car from which the laser beam was shining and subsequently charged Christman.

Maine law stipulates it is illegal for anyone who "intentionally" points a laser beam at a police officer or at a "reasonable person" for the purpose of intimidating and attempting to harm.

Laser pointers have been an increasing problem for the airline industry, when pointers are aimed at pilots during takeoff or landing. The Federal Aviation Administration reported 3,482 incidents in 2012.

According to www.laserpointersafety.com, many incidents of laser beams pointed at motorists have also been reported nationally and worldwide.

The laser pointer was attached to what appeared to be anauthentic looking replica handgun. Kittery police are spearheading efforts to outlaw such replica weapons on school grounds, following an incident with a BB gun at Traip Academy last fall.